2006 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews
Editors Rating
Recent Consumer Reviews
(103 Total Reviews)
Built to last
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
Review
I bought my truck new in 2006, needing a 4wd family vehicle (traded my '94 Cobra for it). The only problem I've had is my manual lumbar support breaking twice. The transmission problem everyone is talking about is solved with a simple trip to the dealer to get the transmission reprogrammed. Problem fixed!!! It gets about 14.5 mpg in the city and 21.9 on the hwy at hwy speeds. if you drive aggressively though, expect it to be worse. We've driven across the country and it's very comprortable for me and my family. The V8 is powerful enough to haul a trailer and get into traffic with ease, and sits at 2k rpm on the hwy. Have a light foot in the city and get respective mpg there too.
Favorite Features
Foldable 2/3 row seats (leave headrests down for better visability). powerful engine. could use an after market mp3 player input jack though (offered on 07 models). Good highway mpg for a V8 SUV. Good accelleration. Quiet inside the vehicle on the highway. Quiet engine noise
Suggested Improvements
Aside from the lumbar support, not much to complain about. City driving with a heavy SUV is going to yield lower mpg, but that's what you get with a V8. Maybe add a cylinder management/shut off system for hwy use to get better hwy mpg.
Good, but could be better
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I bought it used with 59963 miles on the odo for $16500. No problems so far. Replaces an 07 4Runner which was totalled in a crash. I didn't feel like spending another 30 grand on a 4Runner so I went with the cheaper Ford. This is my weekend vehicle. Mon thru Fri I use my much more economical Camry. Didn't realize it was a 4x4 til I took it home and saw the buttons on the dash, neither did the salesman, oh well. Overall, a decent family vehicle which fits nicely in my garage, but the 4Runner was lighter and got better gas mileage and overall felt a tad more refined.
Favorite Features
Great turning radius, love the fold flat seats which come in handy for extra passengers, smooth and quiet ride, uncluttered dash layout with simple controls.
Suggested Improvements
Base v6 needs an overhaul to better compete with rivals. Running boards feel flimsy and should be improved. Why no crossbars on roof rack?
Nice Style - Poor Quality
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A)
Review
Get the V-8. I get 20 mpg on a trip at 65. Nice looking truck but poor Ford quality - I've had it 4 mos with 2 major breakdowns. No problems with the transmission. The dealer was great and I'm glad I got the extended warranty. The 18' chrome rims look great. I've previously had Pilots - not as nice looking but far more reliable. I am impressed with the ride and how quiet it is at highway speeds.
Favorite Features
V-8. Plenty of performance with reasonable gas mileage. 18' Chrome rims. Style. Safety features. Reclining rear seats. Third seat option is very spacious. Very comfortable interior. High depreciation made a great used car buy!
Suggested Improvements
Better mechanical quality. Blind spots with rear headrests (especially third row). Redesign rear cupholders currently on center console - I'm always bumping my daughters drinks on the floor. Sliding rear seat.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Explorer XLT 06 diappointment
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I loved my Explorer at first. The drive is nice & smooth. I am 5' 2" and the driver's seat was an excellent fit for me one of the reasons I bought it. The color was a great match to the inside interior color. Do not like where the front hood release hard to see the lever and the parking brake the same way. Since I bought it I have had it towed back to dealer and in the dealership at least 7 times (bought Oct.06)
Favorite Features
The way it drives is nice, steering is pretty good. Like how paint outside matched inside interior. I am a women and cup holders not big concern. The side air bags were very important.The electric seat was big deal I am short. I can see with the way I was able to manuver the it. Rear wiper.
Suggested Improvements
Running boards standard.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
All around bad S.U.V.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLS 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I use this SUV at work and it just plain sucks. My car has more horsepower and it has been in the shop 3 times in little over a year. 1st issue was the tire sensor error would not clear. Next was the rear windshield wiper had a mind of its own. Then the CV joints went out ohh and even after 3 separate attempts by Ford the tire pressure error still wont go away.
Favorite Features
Is a company owned vehicle and thank god not mine!
Suggested Improvements
More HP, more trim on the outside looks really cheap, inside door handles and a pain no one can ever find them.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Best SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I bought this SUV for the wife, she never gets to drive it. I love this thing. I drive the heck out of it, it already almost have 50,000 miles. We live in Germany everyone told me not to buy a Ford because the engines can't take it. I drive it over 100 mph almost everyday the engine has held on great have had no problems at all not even a leak the engine still looks like the day I picked it up at the port. I get an oil change almost every other month. The only issue is a speaker in the passenger side rear door blew a few months ago. Other than that everythings great! Plenty of room and comfortable. If the computer is right I get about 17.8 mpg.
Favorite Features
Everything,
Suggested Improvements
Wish i could have gotten a black interior.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Ford needs to Wake up!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This is the worst Ford I have ever owned. 27000 miles and numerous problems. The radiator is leaking and they will now have to replace it. The chrome grill is bubbling, and Ford dealer says its not covered on warranty. (HMMM! Defective part not covered) There was an obnoxious vibration (Rattle) in the steering wheel. The dealer said there was an advisory out on that. They must replace the lower steering rod. The other things I dislike: The gas mileage sucks. I should have kept my 2005 v8 4wd F150. My F150 got about the same MPG and had way more power than this hunk of crap. There is no heated mirrors! Every car has them now. No XM radio. Get with the times already. All in all don't buy a Ford
Favorite Features
none
Suggested Improvements
Throw the towel in!!! Ford needs to back there product. No wonder why people buy foreign.. I have a 1996 Toyota Corolla with 130K and it hasn't had any problems (Knock on wood)
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Last Explorer for me
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This is the fourth Ford Explorer we have owned. It is by far the worst!!! Extremely poor fuel economy. 7-9mpg in winter, and maybe 13mpg in the summer. Dealership, cant seem to figure the problem out, and isn't fixed yet. Also, don't ever get rear ended, because there isn't much of a bumper. Its all plastic. I don't like the RSC system either. I don't like the fact you cant over-ride the system when needed. It leaves you completely handi-capped in the deep snow. The vehicle is a little sluggish on the take off.
Favorite Features
Nice riding compared to older Explorers. I like the additional cupholders, and the optional 3rd row seat. I like the instrument cluster, and think the vehicle is comfortable. I really like the interior.
Suggested Improvements
Better fuel economy!! Put the fuel door on passenger side. Needs bigger side mirrors. Put a real bumper on the thing, and bolt the receiver hitch to the frame, instead of welding it.
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
Decent Vehicle - Lousy Interior
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 1 | Interior Design: | 1 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This was our 8th consecutive Ford vehicle, and will probably be our last. Overall, this SUV had the potential to be a great vehicle, but an awful interior design and numerous quality issues ruined it. The 4.0L engine and 5-speed trans are terrific. Body style, ride, handling, etc. all very good. Excellent for moderate towing - we towed a boat and dual snowmobile trailer. The interior is awful. Poor hiproom, inaccessible parking brake release, stupid/awkward door pulls. Experienced following failures: broken lumabar mechanism, 4wd motor failed, PB release failed, engine failed to start, shift lever locked in park. Ford botched an otherwise decent vehicle.
Favorite Features
Engine performance, towing capability, quite cabin, decent ride.
Suggested Improvements
Ditch the entire interior and start over. Re-design doors/console to allow some hiproom. Move Parking Brake release within reach of the driver. Replace the seat surface cloth with something that doesn't soak stains like a sponge, and that can actually be cleaned.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Change of Heart
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 Ford Explorer XLT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I had been shopping around for my long awaited chance to trade our tired mini van. The 2006 Ford Explorer was too nice to pass up. Just after a few months, it has to go. Even with our NE Winters - it is just too much truck for me. I keep reading about the transmission - does that explain why is has rolled on my 3 times! When I park this big truck, it needs to stay in the same place. And yes, the mileage is the pits.
Favorite Features
Paint and trim - very sharp. Lots of room in the back for storage.
Suggested Improvements
Rolls when in park. Gas mileage
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
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